Blade sharpening system

ABSTRACT

A blade sharpening system may include a sharpening tool for sharpening a workpiece. The system may also include a sharpening fixture having a mounting surface for mounting a workpiece to be sharpened by the sharpening tool. The mounting surface may be disposed on a sled that is movable along a sharpening path that passes under a sharpening implement that may be mounted to a movable arm of the sharpening tool when the arm is in an engaged position. The movement of the sled may be coupled to the movement of the arm such that moving the arm from a disengaged position to the engaged position initiates the sled to move in a first direction along the sharpening path and moving the arm from the engaged position to the disengaged position initiates the sled to move along the sharpening path in a second direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of the filing data under 35U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/360,062,filed Jul. 8, 2016, the contents of which is hereby incorporated byreference into this specification.

TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for sharpeningblades.

BACKGROUND

Blades are traditionally sharpened using fixed bench or pedestalgrinders. The grinders include rotating grinding wheels against which ablade edge is worked. Workpieces on which the blade edge is worked aretypically held by an operator and manually moved against the grindingstone to form the sharpened edge.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a blade sharpening system includes a sharpening toolcomprising an arm movable between a disengaged position and an engagedposition, an implement positioned mount on the arm to mount a sharpingimplement, and a motor operable to rotate the implement mount to rotatea sharpening implement when mounted thereon. The blade sharpening systemmay further include a sharpening fixture comprising a frame. The framemay include a first support comprising a mounting bracket for mountingthe frame to a platform above which the arm is pivotably mounted betweenthe disengaged and engaged positions. The frame may further comprise asled guide including one or more rails, a sled movably mounted to theframe and having a mounting surface for removably mounting a workpieceto be sharpened, and a sled drive coupled to the sled. The sled drivemay be operable to move the sled along the sled guide along a sharpeningpath to position a workpiece, mounted to the mounting surface, below asharpening surface of a sharpening implement mounted to the arm in theengaged position when the sled moves along an engagement portion of thesharpening path. The sharpening system may further include a controllercomprising a drive switch to initiate the sled drive to move the sledalong the sharpening path and a position sensor to measure a position ofthe arm or associated component thereon. When the position sensormeasures the arm translated from the disengaged position to the engagedposition, the drive switch may initiate the sled drive to move the sledalong the sharpening path in a first direction. When the position sensormeasures the arm translated from the engaged position to the disengagedposition, the drive switch may initiate the sled drive to move the sledalong the sharpening path in a second direction. The engaged positionmay further include a physically engaged position wherein when the armis in the physically engaged position a sharpening surface of a mountedsharpening implement is positioned to physically engage a workpiecemounted to the mounting surface as the sled moves along the engagementportion of the sharpening path.

In various implementations, the sled drive comprises an air cylinderoperatively coupled between the frame and the sled, and the drive switchcomprises an air switch. The sled guide may extend between a firstsupport comprising a first guide bracket and a second support comprisinga second guide bracket. The sled may be movable along the sled guidebetween the first guide bracket and the second guide bracket. The firstguide bracket may comprise a first portion structured to be fixedlymounted to the first support and a second portion structured to beslidably mounted to the first support. An adjustment rod may berotatably coupled at an end to the second portion of the first guidebracket and may be structured to threadably coupled to the first portionof the first guide bracket such that rotation of the adjustment rodadjusts a length of the adjustment rod extending through the firstportion of the guide bracket to thereby adjust a distance between thefirst and second portions of the first guide bracket. The mountingsurface may comprise a mounting member structured to removably mount aworkpiece. The mounting member may comprise one or more of a clamp or anadjustable cam. The second guide bracket may be structured to adjustablyreceive the sled guide to define a length of the sled guide extendingbetween the first and second guide brackets. The first guide bracket mayinclude a roller positioned to support a portion of the sled below asharpening implement mounted to the arm when the sharpening implementphysically engages the workpiece while the sled moves along thesharpening path.

In another aspect, a blade sharpening system includes a sharpening toolcomprising an arm movable between a disengaged position and an engagedposition, an implement mount positioned on the arm to mount a sharpingimplement, and a motor operable to rotate the implement mount to rotatea sharpening implement when mounted thereon. The blade sharpening systemmay further include a sharpening fixture comprising a frame, a sledmovably mounted to the frame and having a mounting surface for removablymounting a workpiece to be sharpened, and a sled drive coupled to thesled and operable to move the sled along the frame along a sharpeningpath to position a workpiece, mounted to the mounting surface, below asharpening surface of a sharpening implement mounted to the arm in theengaged position. The blade sharpening system may further include acontroller comprising a drive switch to initiate the sled drive to movethe sled along the sharpening path and a position sensor to measure aposition of the arm or associated component thereon. When the positionsensor measures the arm translated from the disengaged position to theengaged position, the drive switch may initiate the sled drive to movethe sled along the sharpening path in a first direction. When theposition sensor measures the arm translated from the engaged position tothe disengaged position, the drive switch may initiate the sled drive tomove the sled along the sharpening path in a second direction.

In various implementations, the engaged position further includes aphysically engaged position wherein when the arm is in the physicallyengaged position a sharpening surface of a mounted sharpening implementis positioned to physically engage a workpiece mounted to the mountingsurface as the sled moves along the engagement portion of the sharpeningpath. The sled drive may comprise an air cylinder operatively coupledbetween the frame and the sled. The drive switch may comprise an airswitch. The frame may comprise a first support comprising a mountingbracket for mounting the frame to a platform above which the arm ispivotably mounted between the disengaged and engaged positions. Theframe may comprise a sled guide comprising one or more rails along whichthe sled drive is structured to move the sled along the sharpening path.In one implementation, the one or more rails of the sled guide mayextend between a first guide bracket and a second guide bracket. Thesharpening fixture may include a path adjuster to adjust a length of theone or more rails the sled drive moves the sled along the sharpeningpath between the first and second guide bracket. In one example, thesecond guide bracket may include a slot to adjustably receive the one ormore rails of sled drive moves the sled along the sharpening pathbetween the first and second guide bracket. In another example, thesharpening fixture may include one or more floating stops slidablymounted along the one or more rails and fixable at one or more positionsthere along to adjust a length of the one or more rails the sled drivemoves the sled along the sharpening path. In one implementation, theframe includes a sled guide extending between a first support comprisinga first guide bracket and a second support comprising a second guidebracket. The sled may be movable along the sled guide between the firstguide bracket and the second guide bracket. The second guide bracket maybe structured to adjustably receive the sled guide to define a length ofthe sled guide extending between the first and second guide brackets.The frame may include a sled guide along which the sled drive isstructured to move the sled along the sharpening path.

In one implementation, the sharpening fixture may include a guideadjuster to adjust the angle or position at which the sharpening pathpasses below a sharpening surface of a sharpening implement mounted tothe arm. The guide adjuster may comprise a first portion of the firstguide bracket structured to be fixedly mounted to the first support anda second portion of the first guide bracket structured to be slidablymounted to the first support. The guide adjuster may further comprise anadjustment rod rotatably coupled at an end to the second portion of thefirst guide bracket and structured to threadably coupled to the firstportion of the first guide bracket such that rotation of the adjustmentrod adjusts a length of the adjustment rod extending through the firstportion of the guide bracket to thereby adjust a distance between thefirst and second portions of the first guide bracket. The mountingsurface may comprise one or more mounting members structured toremovably mount a workpiece. The one or more mounting members maycomprise a clamp. The one or more mounting members may also comprise anadjustable cam. In one example, the adjustable cam has a “D” shape. Thesled guide may comprise one or more rails extending between a firstguide bracket and a second guide bracket, wherein the first guidebracket includes a roller positioned to support a portion of the sledbelow a sharpening implement mounted to the arm when the sharpeningimplement physically engages the workpiece while the sled moves alongthe sharpening path.

In yet another aspect, a controllable sharpening fixture includes aframe comprising a first support comprising a mounting bracket formounting the frame to a platform of a sharping tool comprising an armconfigured to mount a sharpening implement and pivotable between adisengaged position and an engaged position, wherein the frame furthercomprises a sled guide comprising one or more rails. The sharpeningfixture may further include a sled movably mounted to the frame andhaving a mounting surface for removably mounting a workpiece to besharpened. The sharpening fixture may also include a sled drive coupledto the sled and operable to move the sled along the sled guide along asharpening path to position a workpiece, mounted to the mountingsurface, below a sharpening surface of a sharpening implement mounted tothe arm of the sharpening tool in the engaged position when the sledmoves along an engagement portion of the sharpening path. Thecontrollable sharpening fixture may further comprise a controllerincluding a drive switch to initiate the sled drive to move the sledalong the sharpening path and a position sensor to measure a position ofthe arm or associated component thereon. When the position sensormeasures the arm translated from the disengaged position to the engagedposition, the drive switch may initiate the sled drive to move the sledalong the sharpening path in a first direction. When the position sensormeasures the arm translated from the engaged position to the disengagedposition, the drive switch may initiate the sled drive to move the sledalong the sharpening path in a second direction.

In various implementations, the sled drive may comprise an air cylinderoperatively coupled between the frame and the sled, and wherein thedrive switch comprises an air switch. The sled guide may extend betweena first support comprising a first guide bracket and a second supportcomprising a second guide bracket. The sled may be movable along thesled guide between the first guide bracket and the second guide bracket.The first guide bracket may comprise a first portion structured to befixedly mounted to the first support and a second portion structured tobe slidably mounted to the first support. An adjustment rod may berotatably coupled at an end to the second portion of the first guidebracket and may be structured to threadably couple to the first portionof the first guide bracket such that rotation of the adjustment rodadjusts a length of the adjustment rod extending through the firstportion of the guide bracket to thereby adjust a distance between thefirst and second portions of the first guide bracket.

In one implementation, the sled guide may extend between a first supportcomprising a first guide bracket and a second support comprising asecond guide bracket. The sled may be movable along the sled guidebetween the first guide bracket and the second guide bracket. The secondguide bracket may be structured to adjustably receive the sled guide todefine a length of the sled guide extending between the first and secondguide brackets. The first guide bracket may include a roller positionedto support a portion of the sled below a sharpening implement mounted tothe arm when the sharpening implement physically engages the workpiecewhile the sled moves along the sharpening path.

In one implementation, the mounting surface may include a mountingmember structured to removably mount a workpiece, the mounting membercomprising one or more of a clamp or an adjustable cam. In one example,the adjustable cam has a “D” shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsfeatures and advantages, reference is now made to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a semi-schematic of a blade sharpening system according tovarious embodiments described herein;

FIG. 2 is an perspective view blade sharpening system positioned on atable according to one embodiment described herein;

FIG. 3 is an isolated perspective view of the sharpening fixture of theblade sharpening system shown in FIG. 2 including floating stops;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a blade sharpening system including amagnified view of a controller according to various embodimentsdescribed herein;

FIG. 4B a bottom view of the blade sharpening system shown in FIG. 4Aincluding a magnified view of a coupling between a sled and a sleddrive;

FIG. 4C is a perspective end view of the blade sharpening system shownin FIG.

4A;

FIG. 4D is a top view of the blade sharpening system shown in FIG. 4A;and

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B illustrate elevated side views of a controller of ablade sharpening system according to various embodiments describedherein.

DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of a blade sharpening system and components thereofare described herein. Some embodiments may find particular utility forsharpening mower blades. However, the blade sharpening system may findapplicability to for sharpening other workpieces such as knives, axes,agricultural implements, etc. Indeed, various embodiments of the bladesharpening system may be configured to sharpen a wide variety ofworkpiece sizes and shapes. For example, as described below, the bladesharpening system may be configured with adjustable features allowing anoperator conform the operation of the system to a desired workpiece.

In various embodiments, a blade sharpening system may include asharpening tool configured to move a sharpening implement, such as agrinding stone, in a sharpening motion. The blade sharpening system mayalso include a sharpening fixture having a mounting surface onto which aworkpiece may be stably held for sharpening. The sharpening fixture maybe structured to position the mounting surface relative to thesharpening implement to engage a sharpening surface of the sharpeningimplement with the workpiece. The sharpening fixture may be furtherstructured to move the workpiece when the sharpening surface is engagedwith the sharpening implement such that the sharpening implement engagesa length of the workpiece greater than the width of the sharpeningsurface. In some embodiments, the sharpening tool is also structured tomove the sharpening implement between an engaged and a disengagedposition. In one embodiment, movement of the sharpening implement towardthe sharpening fixture triggers the blade sharpening system to move themounting surface in a first direction from a first position to a secondposition. When the mounting surface has reached the second position, theblade sharpening system may trigger movement of the mounting surface ina second or return direction to a third position. The third position maycorrespond to the first position. In this or another embodiment,movement of the sharpening implement away from the sharpening fixturetriggers the blade sharpening system to move the mounting surface in thesecond or return direction.

FIG. 1 semi-schematically illustrates various features of a bladesharpening system 10 according to various embodiments. The bladesharpening system 10 includes a sharpening tool 12 and a sharpeningimplement 14 having a sharpening surface 16. The implement may be, forexample, a grinding wheel or belt.

The sharpening tool 12 includes or is operatively coupled to animplement drive 18 operative to cause the sharpening implement 14 andsharpening surface 16 to move in a sharping motion. The sharpeningimplement 14 is configured to sharpen a surface, such as an edge, of aworkpiece 24 that contacts or physically engages the sharpening surface16 when the sharpening implement 14 is moved in the sharpening motion(shown generally by arrow 17). In one example, the implement drive 18includes an implement mount 20, e.g., an arbor or pulley, onto which thesharpening implement 14 may be mounted. The implement drive 18 may alsoinclude an implement motor 22 whereby operation of the implement motor22 provides force or motion to rotate implement mount 20 that thenrotates the mounted sharpening implement 14.

The implement motor 22 may be any suitable motor for providing force ormotion to rotate implement mount 20. For example, the implement motor 22may include an electric, combustion, chemical, hydraulic, thermal, orpneumatic motor. An electric motor may include, for example, rotatory,linear, servo, or stepper type motors. In some embodiments, theimplement motor 22 may include a pump configured to pump fluid. The pumpmay provide power to a motor portion of the implement motor 22, e.g., ahydraulic or pneumatic motor, or may be powered by the implement motor22.

The movement of the implement mount 20 to provide the sharpening motion17 may be mechanically or electronically controlled. For example,movement may be initiated or terminated mechanically or electronically,e.g., either by the powering of the implement motor 22 or delivery ortransfer of the force or motion produced by the implement motor 22 tomove the implement mount 20, e.g., engagement of a clutch. In oneembodiment, a manual actuator or trigger may be used, which may be localor remote.

The sharpening tool 12 may also be structured to move the sharpeningimplement 14 between an engaged position and a disengaged position. Theengaged position may include a position in which the sharpening surface16 of the sharpening implement 14 is physically engaged with a workpiece24. The engaged position may also include a position in which thesharpening implement 14 is positioned for physical engagement butadditional movement of the sharpening implement 14 toward the workpiece24 is required in order for the sharpening surface 16 of the sharpeningimplement 14 to physically engage the workpiece 24. In which case, thesharpening implement 14 is further movable between the engaged positionand the physically engaged position.

In one embodiment, the sharpening tool 12 includes an arm 26 housing theimplement mount 20 onto which the sharpening implement 14 may bemounted. The arm 26 may be movable (shown generally by arrow 27) toengage and disengage the sharpening implement 14 with workpiece 24. Inone example, the sharpening tool 12 may have a chop saw configurationcomprising a movable arm 26 having an arbor onto which the sharpeningimplement 14, e.g., a grinding stone, may be mounted. It will beappreciated that while a grinding stone is generally described herein ascomprising a grinding wheel, other grinding stone configurations may beused, e.g., a grinding belt.

The arm 26 may be movable between the engaged position and a disengagedposition, corresponding to an engaged position and disengaged positionof the sharpening implement 14 when mounted to the implement mount 20.The movement of the arm 26 may be along linear, arcuate (e.g., about apivot), or other shaped paths. In some embodiments, the sharpening tool12 may be structured such that the arm 26, under its own weight, mayrest above the workpiece 24 in an engaged position or adjacent thereto,or the position of the workpiece 24 when moved along a sharpening path(shown generally as arrow 28), and be movable therefrom to thephysically engaged position upon application of force, e.g., by a user.For example, the sharpening tool 12 may be equipped with a spring, shockabsorber, cushion, etc. that is to be manually or otherwise overcome byapplication of additional force to the arm 26 to physically engage theworkpiece 24 with the sharpening surface 16. In one such embodiment, thearm 26 may rest in the engaged position that does not correspond to thephysically engaged position. When the arm 26 rests outside, e.g., abovethe physically engaged position, upon application of force, the arm 26may be movable to the physically engaged position where the sharpeningsurface 16 of the sharpening implement 14 contacts the workpiece 24.

Movement of the arm 26 may be driven manually or entirely or partiallymechanically assisted, e.g., with gearing, hydraulics, pneumatics, orother suitable arrangements or combinations thereof. In someembodiments, mechanical assistance may be powered. For example,mechanical assistance may be powered separately from the implement drive18 or a sled drive 30, described below, or may be powered in-whole orin-part by one or both of the implement drive 18 or sled drive 30. Invarious embodiments, the sharpening tool 12 is configured with anadjustable arm 26 to allow a user to define the range of movement of thearm 26 to accommodate different sized implements 14 and workpieces 24.Adjusting the range of movement of the arm 26 may also include definingthe engaged and disengaged positions. In one embodiment, the sharpeningtool 12 may include a table or fixture mounting platform (not shown)that is movable toward the sharpening implement 14 in a directiondifferent than the direction of movement of a sled 32 along thesharpening path 28. In one example, the sharpening tool 12 includes botha movable arm 26 and a movable fixture mounting platform to define adistance between the workpiece 24 and a position of the sharpeningimplement 14.

In various embodiments, the blade sharpening system 10 may include asharpening fixture 34. The blade sharpening system 10 may be configuredsuch that, in use, the sharpening surface 16 of the sharpening implement14 is positioned to contact the surface to be sharpened while thesharpening fixture 34 moves the workpiece 24 relative to the sharpeningsurface 16 along the engagement portion of the sharpening path 28. Thesharpening fixture 34 may include a table onto which the workpiece 24may be mounted. The table may be referred to herein as a sled 32 havinga workpiece 24 mounting surface 36. The mounting surface 36 may bestructured to removably mount a workpiece 24 thereon. The sled 32 mayinclude various mounting fittings 38 structured to stably mount theworkpiece 24 to the mounting surface 36. For example, exemplary mountingfittings 38 may include clamps, braces, brackets, slots, grooves,mounting pins or threads, or other features employable to stably hold aworkpiece 24 at the mounting surface 36 during sharpening.

As introduced above, the sled 32 may be movable to therebycorrespondingly move the mounting surface 36 along the sharpening path28. The sharpening path 28 includes an engagement portion wherein amounted workpiece 24 moved along the engagement portion intersects withthe sharpening surface 16 of the sharpening implement 14 in thephysically engaged position. Thus, the movement of the sled 32 along thesharpening path 28 may translate the mounted workpiece 24 through alocation corresponding to the sharpening surface 16 of the sharpeningimplement 14 when the arm 26 and sharpening implement 14 are in thephysically engaged position. For example, the engagement portion of thesharpening path 28 may be configured to pass a surface of the workpiece24 to be sharpened along the sharpening surface 16 of the sharpeningimplement 14 when the arm 26 and, hence, the sharpening implement 14 arein the physically engaged position. In embodiments wherein the engagedposition includes a position that does not correspond to the physicallyengaged position, e.g., a pre- or post-physically engaged position, theengagement portion of the sharpening path 28 may pass the workpiece 24adjacent to, e.g., just below, the sharpening implement 14 or sharpeningsurface 16 thereof, such that when the arm 26 further translates to thephysically engaged position, the sharpening surface 16 of the sharpeningimplement 14 contacts the surface of the workpiece 24 to be sharpened.

The sharpening fixture 34 may also include a frame 40 structured tosupport the sled 32 when the sled 32 moves along the sharpening path 28.For example, the sled 32 may be slidably or rollably positioned on ormounted at a surface of the frame 40. The frame 40 may include a sledguide 42 to guide the sled 32. The frame 40 may include tracks, rails,rollers, grooves, or other supporting structures along which the sled 32may engage and transverse when moving along the sharpening path 28.

In various embodiments, the sharpening fixture 34 may include a sleddrive 30 configured to move the sled 32 along the sharpening path 28 ina first direction and a second direction. The sled drive 30 may includea drive motor 44. The drive motor 44 may be the same or different thanthe implement motor 22. The drive motor 44 may be any suitable motor fordriving movement of the sled 32, either directly or indirectly. Forexample, the drive motor 44 may include an electric, combustion,chemical, hydraulic, thermal, or pneumatic motor. An electric drivemotor 44 may include rotatory, linear, servo, or stepper type motors,for example. In some embodiments, the drive motor 44 is reversible toactively drive movement of the sled in both the first and seconddirections.

The sled drive 30 may include one or more rods, pistons, belts, gears,pulleys, chambers, valves, actuators, transfer cases, gear boxes, orother drive components configured to drive the sled 32 via the motion orforce provided by the drive motor 44. In one embodiment, the sled drive30 includes a rod coupled between a drive shaft of a linear motor andthe sled 32 to transmit the linear motion or force to the sled 32. Inone example, the sled drive 30 includes gears or tracks positioned toreceive the motion or force provided by the drive motor 44 to move thesled 32. The drive motor 44 and sled drive 30 may be configured fordirect or indirect drive operations. For example, power provided by thedrive motor 44 may rotate gears that may drive or engage gears on thesled drive 30 to move the sled 32. Belts, pulleys, or chains may also beused. In one embodiment, the drive motor 44 includes a drive shaftdirectly or indirectly driven by the drive motor 44 to providerotational force of motion that mechanically couples to the sled drive30 to drive the sled 32. For example, the drive motor 44 may bepositioned to provide rotational force in a direction transverse to adirection of movement of the sled 32. In one configuration, a screw andnut, or other gear arrangement, may be used to convert the rotationalmotion to linear motion.

In some embodiments, the drive motor 44 includes a pump configured topump fluid. The pump may provide power to a motor portion of the drivemotor 44, e.g., a hydraulic or pneumatic motor, or may be powered by themotor portion of the drive motor 44. In one example, the sled drive 30includes a hydraulic or pneumatic chamber into which fluid may be pumpedinto or out of or released into or out of to move a piston. The sled 32may be operatively coupled to the chamber or piston to move when thepiston is moved within the chamber. In these or other examples, the sleddrive 30 or chamber thereof may include one or more valves fluidicallycoupled to the chamber and actuatable to control fluid flow into or outof the chamber. A chamber, such as a cylinder chamber, may include afluid port fluidically coupled to a valve. The valve may open to allowfluid to be delivered into the chamber thereby moving the piston in afirst direction. The valve or another valve may later open to allow thefluid to exit the chamber. In one embodiment, the fluid withdrawn tocreate a vacuum within the chamber to pull the piston in a seconddirection. In this or another embodiment, the chamber includes a springcompressible by the movement of the piston in the first direction andwhich decompresses to move the piston in the second direction when thefluid exits the chamber. In one embodiment, the sled drive 30 includes achamber having two chambers in which fluid may be supplied and releasedto move the piston in the first and second direction. For example,valves may be used to provide fluid into the first chamber and allowfluid to exit the second chamber thereby moving the piston in the firstdirection. The same or different valves may be used to provide fluidinto the second chamber and allow fluid to exit the first chamberthereby moving the pistons in the second direction.

In various embodiments, the blade sharpening system 10 includes a guideadjuster 46 to adjust the location of the sharpening path 28 relative tothe sharpening implement 14 in the physically engaged position. Forexample, the guide adjuster 46 may adjust an angle of the sharpeningpath 28 with respect to the sharpening implement 14 in the physicallyengaged position. As another example, the guide adjuster 46 maylaterally adjust the location of the sharpening path 28 with respect tothe sharpening implement 14, which may adjust a relative location alongthe sharpening implement 14 where the sharpening surface 16 contacts theworkpiece 24. For example, the guide adjuster 46 may be used to sharpena first surface and a second surface of a workpiece 24 wherein the firstand second surfaces are edges on opposite lateral sides of the workpiece24. Thus, the guide adjuster 46 may allow the blade sharpening system 10to be used to sharpen both right hand cut and left hand cut mowerblades. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the motion or forceprovided by the sled drive 30 to move the sled 32 may define thesharpening path 28 and therefore comprise the sled guide 42.

In various embodiments, the blade sharpening system 10 includes pathadjusters 48 to adjust a length of the sharpening path 28. Pathadjusters 48 may include stops to limit translation along the sharpeningpath 28 in the first direction, second direction, or both.

In various embodiments, the blade sharpening system 10 includes acontroller 50. The controller 50 may be operative to control one or moreoperations of the blade sharping system 10, e.g., the implement drive18, sled drive 30, arm 26, or other operations. In some embodiments, thecontroller 50 includes a drive switch 52 operable to initiate movementof the sled 30 as described herein.

The controller 50 may include one or more hardwired circuits,programmable circuits, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, thecontroller 50 may include memory storing instructions executable by aprocessor to perform one or more operations of the blade sharpeningsystem 10. For example, a memory or circuit may be programmed such thatwhen an actuator or trigger is actuated, movement of the implement mount20 is initiated to produce the sharpening motion 17 with respect to thesharpening implement 14 and the movement is stopped when the actuator ortrigger is released or after a predefined time period. Notably, in someembodiments, all components of the controller 50 may not be incommunication or otherwise linked. For example, control of the rotationof the implement mount 20 may be a separate circuit than another circuitused to control other operations, such as the drive switch 52 used toinitiate the sled drive 30, e.g., providing power to a drive motor orallowing transmission of power, motion, or force to the sled drive 30 tomove the sled 32.

In this or another example, the controller 50 may be operable toinitiate or terminate movement of the sled 32 in the first direction orsecond direction. For example, the controller 50 may be operable, viathe drive switch 52, to control one or more of initiating or terminatingthe drive motor 44, a drive pump portion of the drive motor 44, powerdelivery to the drive motor 44, delivery of force or motion from thedrive motor 44 to the sled drive 30.

The controller 50 may be configured such that the drive switch 52 mayinitiate movement of the sled 32, via the sled drive 30, manually orautomatically. In one example, the blade sharpening system 10 includes acontroller 50 that is wired or programmed to modulate or sequence powerdelivery to a drive motor 44. In this or another embodiment, a triggermay be provided on the arm 26, at another location of the sharpeningtool 12 or sharpening fixture 34, or remotely to trigger the driveswitch 52 to initiate movement of the sled 32 via the sled drive 30.

In some embodiments, the controller 50 comprises a position sensor 54 tomeasure, e.g., detect or sense, a movement or a position of the arm 26,implement mount 20, sharpening implement 14 or surface. In anotherembodiment, however, a position sensor 54 is not used. The measurementof the position sensor 54 may be used by the controller 50 via operationof the drive switch 52 to initiates movement of the sled 32 along thesharpening path 28. For example, when the position sensor 54 measuresthe arm 26 or an associated component of the arm 26 translated into orout of the engaged position, the position sensor may signal thecontroller 50 or component thereof to initiate movement of the sled 32via the sled drive 30. For example, the controller 50 may comprise adrive switch 52 configured to initiate the predefined movement uponreceiving a position signal from the position sensor 54. In someembodiments, the controller 50 comprises a position sensor 54 that isintegrated with the drive switch 42 or one or more additional switchesto initiate movement of the sled 32. In further embodiments, theposition sensor 54 may include a mechanically actuatable drive switch52. An integrated position sensor 54 and drive switch 52 may furthersignal additional switches to initiate a predefined movement of the sled32, such as power switches to supply power to the drive motor 44, valveswitches to actuate valves to drive operation of the drive motor 44 orvarious components of the sled drive 30, or other switch configurations.In various embodiments, the position sensor 54 may include sensorsconfigured to detect position or movements by optical, electrical,magnetic, electromagnetic, gravitational, pressure, mechanical, or anyother suitable mechanism.

Initiation of movement may include powering of the drive motor 44.Initiation of movement may include engagement or utilization of powergenerated by the drive motor 44. In one embodiment, the release of acompressed spring, gas, or both may be used to drive the movement of thesled 32 along the sharpening path 28. For example, initiation mayinclude releasing a compressed spring or opening valves to releasecompressed fluid. In a further example, initiation may include openingone or more valves to allow compressed fluid to enter a drive chamberstructured to transmit motion produced by the compressed fluid to thesled 32.

In one embodiment, the drive switch 52 includes a manual trigger thatmay be used to initiate the sled drive 30 to move the sled 32 along thesharpening path 28. The trigger may be a hand trigger or foot pedal, forexample. In this or another embodiment, the trigger may also be used asa safety switch, e.g., a dead man switch, that must be actuated for themovement of the sled 32 to be triggerable, e.g., by movement of the arm26. The trigger may be the same or a separate trigger than a triggerused to initiate movement of the implement mount 22.

In one embodiment, the controller 50 may be further operable to initiateor terminate the implement motor, power delivery to the implement motor,transfer of motion or force produced by the implement motor to thesharpening implement 14. Operation of the sharpening tool 12 to producethe sharpening motion 17 may be coupled with movement of the arm 26 ormay be separate, e.g., using a trigger or actuator to supply power tothe implement motor or initiate transfer of force to the implement mount20, e.g., employing a clutch.

In various embodiments, the controller 50 may be operatively coupled tothe sharpening tool 12 and the sled drive 30 to initiate the sled drive30 to move the sled 32 in the first direction when the arm 26 is in theengaged position and to initiate the sled drive 30 to move the sled 32in the second direction when the arm 26 is in the disengaged position.In one example, the controller 50 is programmed, which may includehardwiring, to initiate movement of the implement mount 20, and, hence,the sharpening motion 17 of the sharpening implement 14, when the arm26, implement mount 20 (e.g., an arbor or pulley), or sharpeningimplement 14 are in the engaged position. For example, the bladesharpening system 10 may include electrical or mechanical sensorsoperatively coupled to the controller 50 and positioned to detect thelocation of one or more of the arm 26, implement mount 20, or sharpeningimplement 14. In various embodiments, the controller 50 may include oneor more additional switches, sensors, or combinations thereof to detectconditions of the blade sharpening system 10.

As introduced above, the engaged position may be a position wherein thesharpening surface 16 of the sharpening implement 14 is adjacent to butnot in physical contact with the workpiece 24. For example, the engagedposition may be about an inch above the workpiece 24. Larger or smallerdistances may be used. Indeed, in one embodiment, the blade sharpeningsystem 10 includes a controller 50 configured with an engagementposition adjuster that allows the user to define the engaged position.For example, the user may turn a knob, actuate a lever, or select aposition from a user interface. Depending on the configuration, suchoperations may modify the engagement position by adjusting the positionof a controller 50 switch that is actuatable by movement of the arm 26or the position or sensitivity of a position sensor 54 that detects theposition of the arm 26 or associated structure. In some embodiments, theengaged position may be adjusted to correspond with the physicallyengaged position. In one embodiment, however, the location of theengaged position cannot be adjusted. In one such example, the engagedposition may correspond with the physically engaged position.

With reference to FIG. 2, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of ablade sharpening system 10, and FIGS. 4A-4D, illustrating various viewsof another exemplary embodiment of the blade sharpening system 10,wherein like numbers are used to indicate simple features, the bladesharpening system 10 includes a sharpening tool 12 including a mountingplatform 60. The sharpening tool 12 includes a sharpening implement 14having a sharpening surface 16 configured to engage and thereon work asurface of a workpiece (see, e.g., FIG. 1) to be sharpened. Morespecifically, the sharpening implement 14 comprises a grinding stone,e.g., a grinding wheel, mounted to an implement mount 22 comprising anarbor. The sharpening tool 12 further comprises an implement drive 18configured to drive the sharpening implement 14 in a sharpening motion17, which in this embodiment includes rotation of the sharpeningimplement 14 on the arbor. The implement drive 18 includes an implementmotor 22 structured to rotate the arbor and hence the grinding stonemounted thereon.

The sharpening tool 12 has a chop saw configuration and includes amovable arm 26 from which the arbor extends. The arm 26 is mounted on atpivot 66 and is rotatable thereon 27 between a disengaged position, awayfrom the platform 60, and an engaged position, adjacent to the platform60 (as shown). As described above, the engaged position may correspondto a physically engaged position or may be adjacent to the physicallyengaged position such that the arm 26 may be rotated downward from theengaged position to the physically engaged position, e.g., by a user.

The blade sharpening system 10 further includes a sharpening fixture 34configured to move the workpiece relative to the sharpening surface 16along a sharpening path 28. With continued reference to FIG. 2 & FIGS.4A-4D and further reference to FIG. 3, showing an isolated view of thesharpening fixture 34 of FIG. 2 fitted with path adjusters 48 comprisingfloating stops 68, the sharpening fixture 34 includes a frame 40 and asled 32. The sled 32 is movably mounted on the frame 40 along a sledguide 42. The frame 40 includes a first support 70 at a first end 72 anda second support 74 at a second end 76. The first support 70 may beattached to the platform 60. The second support 74 may be configured tosupport the frame 40 on an adjacent or other surface. The sled guide 42includes one or more rails 78 that extend between first and second guidebrackets 80, 82, respectively positioned at the first and second ends72, 76 of the frame 40. As most clearly shown in FIG. 4B, the sled 32includes first and second sled mounts 84, 86 structured to slidablymount to the one or more rails 78 of the sled guide 42. The sled 32 mayinclude sleeves or ferules 88 that interface with the one or more rails78.

The sled 32 further includes a mounting surface 36 for stably mounting aworkpiece to be sharpened. The mounting surface 36 includes a mountingfitting 38 configured to hold the workpiece thereon as the sled 32 movesalong the sled guide 42 along the sharpening path 28 and relative to thesharpening tool 12 and implement 14 thereof to sharpen the workpiece. Asbest shown in the top view provided in FIG. 4D, the mounting fitting 38includes a clamp 90. The clamp 90 is configured to clamp a workpiece atthe mounting surface 36 to thereby hold the workpiece thereon. The clamp90 is positioned adjacent to the first sled mount 84, providingstability when clamping. In other embodiments, the clamp 90 may bepositioned at other locations along the mounting surface 36. Other orfurther mounting fittings 38 and mounting methods of holding theworkpiece may also be used, e.g., holes extending into or through themounting surface 36 through which workpieces may be threadably engaged,bolted, pinned, or bracketed to the mounting surface 36. In theillustrated embodiment, the sled 32 further includes a mounting fitting38 comprising a cam 92. The cam 92 may be operable to abut a workpieceto further maintain a desired position of the workpiece on the mountingsurface 36. The cam 92 may be rotated to a desired orientation and thensecured with a bolt 94 at the mounting surface 36. As shown, the cam 92has a “D” shape. Other shapes may be used, e.g., arcuate, linear,toothed, etc.

The first support 70 includes a mounting bracket 96 that is mountable tothe platform 60. The mounting bracket 96 includes attachment memberscomprising holes 98 (see, e.g., FIG. 3) dimensioned to receive bolts orscrews 100 (see, e.g., FIG. 4B) for stably mounting the mounting bracket96 to the platform 60. Other attachment members and configurations mayalso be used. For example, in some embodiments, the first support 70 isintegral with the platform 60, in which case the platform 60 may beconsidered the first support 70. In these or other embodiments, theplatform 60 may be separate or integral with the sharpening tool 12.

The mounting surface 36 further includes an extension 102. As best shownby comparison of the elevated end view provided in FIG. 4C with theperspective view provided in FIG. 4A, the first support 70 includes aroller 104. The roller 104 is rotatable mounted on the mounting bracket96 and is rotatable in the direction of movement of the sled 32. Theroller 104 may provide additional support for the sled 32 when the sled32 includes a mounting surface 36 extension 102. In operation, when thesled 32 moves along the sharpening path 28, the mounting surface 36extension 102 may engage and rotate the roller 104 to provide additionalsupport along the extension. In various embodiments, the roller may bepositioned offset, adjacent to, or directly below the sharpeningimplement 14 in the physically engaged position.

The second support 74 includes feet 106 positionable on a surface tosupport the second end 76 of the frame 40. In some embodiments, thefirst support 70 also includes feet. For example, the frame 40 may beconfigured to straddle the platform 60 or be usable without a platform60. In some embodiments, the frame 40 may couple to the sharpening tool12 at the first end 72 or second end 76 or at a position therebetween.

The second guide bracket 82 may include path adjusters 48 configured toadjustably receive the sled guide 42 to modify the sharpening path 28,e.g., to accommodate different sized workpieces or portions ofworkpieces to be sharpened. Various adjustable retention members may beused to adjustably retain the sled guide 42 or rail 78 thereof, such asclamps. In the illustrated embodiment, the second guide bracket 82includes threaded holes dimensioned to receive retention memberscomprising thumb screws 110 generally transverse to the rail 78. Thethumb screws 110 may be rotated in a first direction to allow the rail78 to move relative to the second guide bracket 82 and then rotated in asecond direction to compressibly engage the rail 78 and thereby retainthe position of the rail 78 within the second guide bracket 82.

As shown in FIG. 3, the blade sharpening system 10 may include pathadjusters 48 comprising one or more stops along the frame 40, e.g., thesled guide 42, to define the sharpening path 28. In some embodiments,the stops are hard or fixed stops. As shown, the stops include floatingstops 68. Specifically, the sharpening fixture 34 includes two sets offloating stops 68 positionable along the one or more rails 78 of thesled guide 42 to define a length of the sharpening path 28. The floatingstops 68 include retention members comprising thumb screws 112 that maybe threaded into stop brackets 114 and compressed against the rail 78 tosecure the position of the floating stop 68.

As shown in FIGS, 4A-4D, the blade sharpening system 10 may include aguide adjuster 46 to adjust the location of the sharpening path 28relative to the sharpening implement 14 in the physically engagedposition. For example, the guide adjuster 46 may adjust an angle of thesharpening path 28 with respect to the sharpening implement 14 in thephysically engaged position. The guide adjuster 46 may be used tolaterally adjust the location of the sharpening path 28 with respect tothe sharpening implement 14, which may adjust a relative location alongthe sharpening implement 14 where the sharpening surface 16 contacts theworkpiece. For example, the guide adjuster 46 may be used to sharpen afirst surface and a second surface of a workpiece wherein the first andsecond surfaces are lateral edges on opposite lateral sides of theworkpiece. Thus, the guide adjuster 46 may allow adjustment of the bladesharpening system 10 to sharpen both right hand cut and left hand cutmower blades.

In the configuration shown, the guide adjuster 46 includes an adjustmentrod 116 cooperatively coupled with the mounting bracket 96 and firstguide bracket 80. A first portion 118 of the mounting bracket 96 ismountable to the platform 60 in a fixed position and includes a threadedslot 120 through which the adjustment rod 116 may be threadablyextended. As most clearly shown in the bottom view provided in FIG. 4B,a second portion 122 of the mounting bracket 96 includes an extension124, which may be a pin or bolt 100, for example, that extends through aslot 126 defined through the platform 60. The extensions 124 are coupledto a plate 128 positioned below the platform 60 to thereby slidablymount the second portion 122 of the mounting bracket 96 and the firstguide bracket 80 along the platform 60. A first end of the adjustmentrod 116 may be rotatably coupled to the second portion 122 of themounting bracket 96. A second end of the adjustment rod 116 may includea handle 134 dimensioned be gripped by a user to rotate the adjustmentrod 116. To adjust the forward position of the sled guide 42 at thefirst end 72, the adjustment rod 116 may be rotated to obtain a desiredsharpening path 28 relative to the sharpening surface 16 by increasingor decreasing the distance between the first and second portions 118,122 of the mounting bracket 96.

The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-4D further include a sled drive30 configured to move the sled 32 along the sharpening path 28 in afirst direction and a second direction. As best shown in FIG. 4B and themagnified view provided therein, the sled drive 30 includes a chamber136 housing a piston (not shown) coupled to a rod 138. As shown, thechamber 136 comprises a pneumatic chamber, such as a pneumatic cylinder.The piston is movable through the chamber 136 via introduction andrelease of compressed gas. The movement of the piston is coupled to thesled 32 via the rod 138 coupled to the piston that extends from a firstend 140 of the chamber 136 and which includes a clevis 142 that isattached to the sled 32. A second end 144 of the chamber 136 is coupledto the frame 40 at the second support 74. In other embodiments, thechamber 136 may be coupled to the frame 40 and sled 32 in a differentconfiguration, such as reversed. The chamber 136 includes a first fluidport 146 at the first end 140 and a second fluid port 148 at the secondend 144. Compressed gas supplied to the second fluid port 148 drives thepiston and, hence, the coupled sled 32 in the first direction, towardthe first end 72 of the frame 40. Compressed gas supplied to the firstfluid port 146 drives the piston and, hence, the coupled sled 32 in thesecond direction, toward the second end 76 of the frame 40.

Compressed gas may be supplied by a drive motor (see, e.g., FIG. 1) thatdrives a pump to produce a supply of compressed gas.

The blade sharpening system 10 may further include a controller 50 tocontrol the flow of the supply of compressed gas to and from the chamber136. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 50 includes a driveswitch 52, which in this embodiment comprises an air switch. As bestshown in the magnified view provided in FIG. 4A, the drive switch 52includes an air supply inlet 152 to receive the supply of compressed gasand a first port 154 and a second port 156. Hoses (not shown) may beused to couple the air supply inlet 152 with the supply of compressedgas and the two ports 154, 156 with the two fluid ports 146, 148. Thedrive switch 52 further includes release ports 158 operable to releasecompressed gas passed to the drive switch 52 from the fluid ports 146,148. The drive switch 52 includes valves (not shown) operable to controlthe delivery and release of compressed gas into the chamber 136. Forexample, to move the sled 32 along the sharpening path 28 in the firstdirection, the controller 50 allows compressed gas to be supplied to thesecond fluid port 148 through the second port 156 while allowingcompressed gas to be released from the first fluid port 146 to the firstport 154 and through a release port 158. To move the sled 32 along thesharpening path 28 in the second direction the controller 50 allowscompressed gas to be supplied to the first fluid port 146 through thefirst port 154 while allowing compressed gas to be released from thesecond fluid port 148 to the second port 156 and through a release port158.

The controller 50 also includes a position sensor 54 in communicationwith the drive switch 52. The position sensor 54 measures a position (orin some embodiments, movement) of the arm 26 which is used by thecontroller 50 control the operations of the drive switch 52 to modulateor control operation of the sled drive 30 to drive the sled 32 along thesharpening path 28. Thus, the operations of the drive switch 52 may becoupled to the position of the arm 26 to thereby coordinate the movementof the sled 32 along the sharpening path 28 with the movement of the arm26. Accordingly, the illustrated blade sharpening system 10 isconfigured to initiate a predefined movement of the sled 32 when the arm26 is located in predefined positions. Specifically, the controller 50initiates movement of the sled 32 in the first direction, as describedabove, when the arm 26 (and, hence, the sharpening implement 14) istranslated from the disengaged position to the engaged position. Whenthe arm 26 (and, hence, the sharpening implement 14) is translated fromthe engaged position to the disengaged position, the controller 50initiates movement of the sled 32 in the second direction, as describedabove. As introduced above, the engaged position may be a positionwherein the sharpening surface 16 of the sharpening implement 14 isadjacent to but not in physical contact with the workpiece 24. Forexample, the engaged position may be about an inch above the workpiece24. Larger or smaller distances may be used.

In the illustrated embodiment, the drive switch 52 and position sensor54 comprise a micro switch wherein rotation 25 of the arm 26 to apredefined engagement position actuates the position sensor 54 thatactuates the drive switch 52. The sensitivity of the micro switch may beadjusted by a user by adjusting adjustment screws 69 to change adistance between the drive switch 52 or position sensor 54 and a bracket64 that mounts the controller 50 to the sharpening tool 12. Accordingly,a user may thereby define the engagement position with respect tomeasurement of arm 26 position or triggering of the drive switch 52where translation to and from causes the controller 50, via the positionsensor 54 and drive switch 52, to initiate the sled drive 30 to move thesled 32. In some embodiments, the position sensor 54 incorporatesposition sensing technologies, such as optical, magnetic, electrical,electromagnetic, etc. to measure the movement or position of the arm orother associated component, which may be communicated to the driveswitch 52, e.g., electrically, mechanically, etc.

As described above with respect to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, theblade sharpening system 10 is configured to allow the user to controlthe movement of the sled 32 in other manners, which may be instead of orin addition to coordination with the movement or position of the arm 26.For example, in one embodiment, a foot switch or trigger may be used toinitiate movement in the first direction, second direction, or both. Insome embodiments, the powering on or off of the implement motor 22 orengagement or disengagement of the sharpening motion 17 of the implementmay be coupled or coordinated with the movements of the sled.

FIGS. 5A & 5B illustrate side views of a controller 50 comprising adrive switch 52 and a position sensor 54 of a blade sharpening systemaccording to various embodiments. The controller 50 is described withrespect to the sharpening tool 12 and sharpening fixture 34 illustratedin FIG. 4A-4D; however, the controller 50 may be used with otherembodiments and combinations described herein. The drive switch 52 maybe similar to the drive switch 52 described above with respect to theembodiments shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 4A-4D, where like numbers indicatelike features.

The position sensor 54 is operatively associated with the drive switch52 to communicate a position of the arm 26. For example, as shown inFIG. 5A, the position sensor 54 is positioned to mechanically actuate anactuator 55 of drive switch 52 to trigger the operations of the driveswitch 52 via the arm 26 position of the sharpening tool 12. Theposition sensor 54 comprises a rocker assembly 56 that attaches betweenthe drive switch 52 and the arm 26 adjacent to the arm pivot 66. Therocker assembly 56 includes a rocker 57 that is pivotably attached atpivot 58. The arm 26 includes a protrusion 59 positioned to contact therocker 57 when the arm 26 is pivoted on pivot 66 to the engagementposition. The contact repositions the rocker 57 to engage an actuator 62operatively coupled with the drive switch 52 to cause the switchingoperation of the drive switch 52 that initiates movement of the sled viathe sled drive (see, e.g., FIG. 4B).

The degree of contact between the protrusion 59 and the rocker 57 may beadjusted to calibrate the controller 50 such that actuation of the driveswitch 52 triggers operation of the sled drive at a desired engagementposition of the arm 26. For example, calibration may includerepositioning pivot 58 along the rocker assembly 56 or the rocker 57 onpivot 58, e.g., adjusting a screw forming the pivot 58 that extendsthrough an elongated slot in the rocker assembly 56 or rocker 57 toraise or lower the pivot point of the rocker 57 with respect to theprotrusion 59 or actuator 55. As best shown in FIG. 5B, the drive switch52 and position sensor 54 may attach to the sharpening tool 12 along abracket 64. The bracket 64 may include various elongated mounting slots65 to adjust a distance between the drive switch 52, e.g., actuator 62,and the rocker 57 or protrusion 59 or the rocker 57 and protrusion 59.Adjusting one or more distances between the drive switch 52, rocker 57,and protrusion 59 may also be used to adjust or calibrate the controller50 to a desired engagement position of the arm 26 for different sizedworkpieces. Other configurations may also be used. For example, as bestshown in FIG. 4D, the drive switch 52, as shown in FIGS. 5A & 5B or inanother embodiment, may be mounted to bracket 64 between adjustmentscrews 69 to adjust a distance between the drive switch 52 and thebracket 64 and, hence, the arm 26 and position sensor 54.

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 2, FIGS. 4A-4D, and FIGS. 5A & 5B, thedrive switch 52 and position sensor 54 are mounted with respect to theplatform 60 such that the arm 26 moves relative to the drive switch 52and position sensor 54. In some embodiments, the rocker 57 may beattached to the arm 26 to couple the rocker 57 to the movement of thearm 26 to actuate the actuator 55, wherein the drive switch 52 ismounted with respect to the platform 60.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate upon reading this disclosurethat various drive switches 52 may be used to initiate the sled drive.For example, in one embodiment, the drive switch 52 may be a doubleacting switch operable to trigger the sled drive to translate the sledback and forth along the sharpening path automatically when the driveswitch 52 is activated. For example, a user could move the arm 26 to theengagement position to trigger the drive switch 52 which then initiatesthe sled drive to move the sled along the sharpening path in a firstdirection and subsequently back in a second direction. In a furtherembodiment, the drive switch 52 may further initiate repeated movementof the sled back and forth until the arm 26 is moved to the disengagedposition.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-5B, the speed the sled 32moves along the sharpening path 28 may be modified by altering one ormore of the gas supply pressure or air exhaust from the air releaseports 158. For example, in some such configurations, gas pressuresbetween 80 psi and 120 psi are considered to provide a suitable speedfor most blade designs and users when combined with around 5 to 6horsepower sharpening tools 12. However, as the dimensions and design ofthe pneumatic chamber 136, workpiece, sharpening implement 14, and powerof the sharpening tool 12 may similarly alter the speed of the sled 32or suitability of a speed of the sled 32 for sharpening a particularworkpiece lesser or greater gas pressures supplied to the chamber 136may also be suitable.

In one embodiment, the sharpening tool 12 may comprise a modified chopsaw, such as a metal chop saw, having a grinding stone mounted to thearbor. In one example, the sharpening tool 12 may comprise a modifiedDeWALT® D28715 chop saw. Modification may include mounting a grindingstone, e.g., an 8 inch grinding stone, to the arbor and removing theoriginal equipment clamping bracket and threaded locking device. In afurther embodiment, the sharpening fixture 34 may be mounted to themodified chop, e.g., onto the modified chop saw table, which maycorrespond to the platform 60 described herein. In a further example,modifying the modified chop saw includes slidably mounting the secondportion of the mounting bracket 122 to the platform 60, which may besimilar to that shown above with respect to FIGS. 4A-4D. For example,the second portion of the mounting bracket 122 may be slidably mountedto the platform 60 via an extension 124 and plate 128 that extendthrough a slot 126 defined through the platform 60. The second portionof the mounting bracket 122 may be coupled to the first end of theadjustment rod 116 that extends through the first portion of themounting bracket 118, which fixedly mounts to the platform 60. Theadjustment rod 116 may threadably engage the first portion of themounting bracket 118 such that it may be rotated to adjust the distancebetween the first portion of the mounting bracket 118 and the secondportion of the mounting bracket 122 (and, hence, the first guide bracket80). Thus, a user may adjust the position or angle that the sharpeningpath 28 extends with respect to the sharpening implement 14 orsharpening surface 16 thereof, to sharpen a blade edge on the left orright side of a workpiece. In this or another embodiment, the modifiedchop saw may be fitted with a controller 50, e.g., the controller 50described above with respect to the illustrated embodiments, comprisinga drive switch 52, such as an air switch, and position sensor 54positioned to measure a position of the movable arm 26 of the modifiedchop saw. When the position sensor 54 detects that the arm 26 hastranslated from a disengaged position to an engaged position, the driveswitch 52 is triggered to initiate the sled drive 30 to move the sled 32in a first direction along the sharpening path 28. When the positionsensor 54 detects that the arm has translated from the engaged positiontoward the disengaged position, the controller 50 triggers the driveswitch 52 to initiate the sled drive 30 to move the sled 32 in a seconddirection along the sharpening path 28.

As described above, other switches and position sensors may be used.Also as described above, the position sensor 54 may be equipped withcontroller features configured to communicate instructions, e.g., viaelectrically currents or signals, to the drive switch 52 to initiate theswitching operations of the drive switch 52. In one example, theposition sensor 54 and drive switch 52 are integrated or the positionsensor 54 includes additional switches operable to communicate theposition of the arm 26 or associated component thereof to the driveswitch 52. In one embodiment, the position sensor 54 comprises a microswitch.

In a further embodiment, the modified chop saw is associated with asharpening fixture 34, as shown in FIGS. 2-4D, wherein the sled drive 30comprises an air cylinder to move the sled 32 back and forth. Thecontroller 50 may comprises an air controller that includes an driveswitch 52 and a position sensor 54 attached to the chop saw. When thearm 26 is lowered, the sled 32 moves in one direction along thesharpening path 28 while the user applies pressure down and grinds theblade. When the arm 26 is raised, the sled 32 moves back. This steadymovement while grinding may be repeated to produce a machine sharpenedsurface that compares with a factory new edge, in less time ofconventional sharpening. For example, using a 5.5 horsepower implementmotor 22, and supplying compressed gas into the chamber 136 at 100 psi,and release ports bored to a #60 drill bit, blades were mounted andsharpened at a pace of about one mower blade per minute, which is vastlysuperior to the typical rate of one mower blade every five minutes usingconventional sharpening tools and techniques. Additionally, unlikeconventional sharpening tools and techniques that require users tohandle hot blades and expose them to injuries from kickback, the bladesharpening system 10 described herein, wherein the motion or position ofthe movable arm 26 operatively couples with the movement of the sled 32,allows a user to sharpen a mower blade without holding the blade whilesharpening.

In some embodiments, the blade sharpening system 10 includes asharpening fixture 34 configured to mount to one or more sharpeningtools. For example, the sharpening fixture 34 may be provided in as kitfor mounting to a sharpening tool. Similarly, the kit may include thesled drive 30 or components thereof. In one embodiment, a kit includes asled drive 30 or components thereof for modular fitting with a frame 40of a sharpening fixture 34. In one embodiment, the blade sharpeningsystem 10 includes the sharpening tool 12 provided in a kit configuredfor attachment to a sharpening fixture or for use without a sharpeningfixture. It will be appreciated that sharpening tools may be providedwithout grinding stones, wherein grinding stones may be providedseparately for mounting. Thus, sharpening tools 12 provided withoutgrinding stones or mounted grinding stone are contemplated in thisdisclosure. Similarly, blade sharpening systems 10 including implementmounts 20 structured to mount implement 14 as described herein arecontemplated herein.

The grammatical articles “one”, “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in thisspecification, are intended to include “at least one” or “one or more”,unless otherwise indicated. Thus, the articles are used in thisspecification to refer to one or more than one (i.e., to “at least one”)of the grammatical objects of the article. By way of example, “acomponent” means one or more components, and thus, possibly, more thanone component is contemplated and may be employed or used in anapplication of the described embodiments. Further, the use of a singularnoun includes the plural, and the use of a plural noun includes thesingular, unless the context of the usage requires otherwise.Additionally, the grammatical conjunctions “and” and “or” are usedherein according to accepted usage. By way of example, “x and y” refersto “x” and “y”. On the other hand, “x or y” refers to “x”, “y”, or both“x” and “y”, whereas “either x or y” refers to exclusivity.

This disclosure describes various elements, features, aspects, andadvantages of various embodiments, configurations, and arrangements ofthe blade sharpening systems, components for use with blade sharpeningsystems, and methods thereof. It is to be understood that certaindescriptions of the various embodiments and such configurations andarrangements thereof have been simplified to illustrate only thoseelements, features and aspects that are relevant to a more clearunderstanding of the disclosed embodiments, while eliminating, forpurposes of brevity or clarity, other elements, features and aspects.Any references to “various,” “certain,” “some,” “one,” or “an” whenfollowed by “embodiment,” “configuration,” or “arrangement” generallymeans that a particular element, feature or aspect described in theexample is included in at least one embodiment. The phrases “invarious,” “in certain,” “in some,” “in one,” or “in an” when followed by“embodiment”, “configuration”, or “arrangement” may not necessarilyrefer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the phrases “in one such” or“in this” when followed by “embodiment,” “configuration,” or“arrangement,” while generally referring to and elaborating upon apreceding embodiment, is not intended to suggest that the elements,features, and aspects of the embodiment introduced by the phrase arelimited to the preceding embodiment; rather, the phrase is provided toassist the reader in understanding the various elements, features, andaspects disclosed herein and it is to be understood that those havingordinary skill in the art will recognize that such elements, features,and aspects presented in the introduced embodiment may be applied incombination with other various combinations and sub-combinations of theelements, features, and aspects presented in the disclosed embodiments.It is to be appreciated that persons having ordinary skill in the art,upon considering the descriptions herein, will recognize that variouscombinations or sub-combinations of the various embodiments and otherelements, features, and aspects may be desirable in particularimplementations or applications. However, because such other elements,features, and aspects may be readily ascertained by persons havingordinary skill in the art upon considering the description herein, andare not necessary for a complete understanding of the disclosedembodiments, a description of such elements, features, and aspects maynot be provided. For example, ovens and oven systems described hereinmay also include connections such as fittings for one or more ofelectrical connections, gas connections, or flue connections. As such,it is to be understood that the description set forth herein is merelyexemplary and illustrative of the disclosed embodiments and is notintended to limit the scope of the invention as defined solely by theclaims.

1. A blade sharpening system for use with a translatable sharpeningimplement, the system comprising: a sharpening fixture comprising a sledhaving a mounting surface for removably mounting a workpiece to besharpened, a frame comprising a sled guide configured to guide the sledalong a sharpening path, the sled guide comprising one or more rails towhich the sled mounts and is thereon guidable along the sharpening path,and a sled drive operable to move the sled along the sharpening path,wherein the sled is configured to position a workpiece mounted to themounting surface below a sharpening surface of a sharpening implementwhen the sharpening implement is in an engaged position; and acontroller comprising a drive switch to initiate the sled drive to movethe sled along the sharpening path, wherein, when the sharpeningimplement is translated from a disengaged position to the engagedposition, the drive switch initiates the sled drive to move the sledalong the sharpening path in a first direction, wherein when thesharpening implement is translated from the engaged position to thedisengaged position, the drive switch initiates the sled drive to movethe sled along the sharpening path in a second direction, and whereinthe engaged position includes a physically engaged position, andwherein, in the physically engaged position, the sharpening surface ofthe sharpening implement is positioned to physically engage a workpiecemounted to the mounting surface as the sled moves along the sharpeningpath.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sled drive comprises an aircylinder operatively coupled between the frame and the sled, and whereinthe drive switch comprises an air switch.
 3. The system of claim 1,further comprising: a first guide bracket comprising a first portion anda second portion, the second portion slidable relative to the firstportion; and a second guide bracket, wherein the sled guide extendsbetween the second portion of the first guide bracket and the secondguide bracket, wherein an adjustment rod couples the first portion andsecond portion of the first guide bracket, and wherein the adjustmentrod threadably couples to the first portion of the first guide bracketsuch that rotation of the adjustment rod adjusts a length of theadjustment rod that extends between the first and second portions of thefirst guide bracket to thereby adjust a location of the sharpening pathrelative to the first portion of the first guide bracket.
 4. The systemof claim 3, wherein the mounting surface comprises a mounting memberstructured to removably mount a workpiece, and wherein the mountingmember comprises one or more of a clamp or an adjustable cam.
 5. Thesystem of claim 4, wherein the second guide bracket is structured toadjustably receive the sled guide to define a length of the sled guideextending between the first and second guide brackets.
 6. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the first guide bracket includes a roller positioned tosupport a portion of the sled below the sharpening implement when thesharpening implement physically engages the workpiece while the sledmoves along the sharpening path.
 7. A blade sharpening system for usewith a translatable sharpening implement, the system comprising: asharpening fixture comprising a frame, a sled mountable to the frame andmovable thereon along a sharpening path, wherein the sled comprises amounting surface for removably mounting a workpiece to be sharpened, anda sled drive operable to move the sled along the sharpening path,wherein the sled is configured to position a workpiece mounted to themounting surface below a sharpening surface of a sharpening implementwhen the sharpening implement is in an engaged position; and acontroller comprising a drive switch to initiate the sled drive to movethe sled along the sharpening path, wherein, when the sharpeningimplement is translated from a disengaged position to the engagedposition, the drive switch initiates the sled drive to move the sledalong the sharpening path in a first direction, wherein, when thesharpening implement is translated from the engaged position to thedisengaged position, the drive switch initiates the sled drive to movethe sled along the sharpening path in a second direction.
 8. The systemof claim 7, wherein the engaged position further includes a physicallyengaged position, wherein, in the physically engaged position, thesharpening surface of the sharpening implement is positioned tophysically engage a workpiece mounted to the mounting surface as thesled moves along the sharpening path.
 9. The system of claim 7, whereinthe sled drive comprises an air cylinder operatively coupled between theframe and the sled, and wherein the drive switch comprises an airswitch.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the frame comprises a firstsupport comprising a mounting bracket for mounting the frame to aplatform below an arm onto which the sharpening implement mounts,wherein the arm is pivotable to translate the sharpening implementbetween the disengaged and engaged positions.
 11. The system of claim 7,wherein the frame comprises a sled guide comprising one or more railsthat guide the sled along the sharpening path.
 12. The system of claim11, wherein the one or more rails of the sled guide extend between afirst guide bracket and a second guide bracket.
 13. The system of claim12, wherein the sharpening fixture includes a path adjuster to adjust alength of the one or more rails extending along the sharpening pathbetween the first and second guide bracket.
 14. The system of claim 12,wherein the second guide bracket includes a slot to adjustably receivethe one or more rails.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein thesharpening fixture includes one or more floating stops slidably mountedalong the one or more rails and fixable at one or more positionstherealong to adjust a length of the one or more rails along which thesled may be guided.
 16. The system of claim 12, wherein the first guidebracket includes a roller positioned to support a portion of the sledbelow the sharpening implement when the sharpening implement physicallyengages a workpiece mounted to the mounting surface while the sled movesalong the sharpening path.
 17. The system of claim 7, wherein the frameincludes a sled guide extending along the sharpening path between afirst support comprising a first guide bracket and a second supportcomprising a second guide bracket, wherein the sled is movable along thesled guide between the first guide bracket and the second guide bracket,and wherein the second guide bracket adjustably receives the sled guideto define a length of the sled guide extending between the first andsecond guide brackets to thereby define a length of the sharpening path.18. The system of claim 7, wherein the frame includes a sled guide alongwhich the sled drive moves the sled along the sharpening path, andwherein the sharpening fixture includes a guide adjuster to adjust aposition of the sled guide to thereby adjust an angle or position at thesharpening path passes below the sharpening surface of the sharpeningimplement.
 19. The system of claim 18, a first guide bracket comprisinga first portion and a second portion, the second portion slidablerelative to the first portion; and a second guide bracket, wherein thesled guide extends between the second portion of the first guide bracketand the second guide bracket, wherein an adjustment rod couples thefirst portion and second portion of the first guide bracket, and whereinthe adjustment rod threadably couples to the first portion of the firstguide bracket such that rotation of the adjustment rod adjusts a lengthof the adjustment rod that extends between the first and second portionsof the first guide bracket to thereby adjust a location of thesharpening path relative to the first portion of the first guidebracket.
 20. The system of claim 7, wherein the mounting surfacecomprises one or more mounting members structured to removably mount aworkpiece, and wherein the one or more mounting members comprise atleast one of a clamp or an adjustable cam.